Mike Norvell on FSU Football's Historically Bad Season: 'I'm Shocked'

The Florida State Seminoles seemingly stepped off a cliff in 2024 after winning the ACC a year ago. The ‘Noles are now 1-8 after last week’s loss to North Carolina and are now ready to hit the road to take on another top-10 team in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

There are a lot of questions about FSU’s future as this season was one of the worst in the last 50 years. Many records were broken under Norvell’s tenure, most of which were not favorable. Florida State’s first loss in program history to an FCS team came in 2021 against Jacksonville State. The largest margin of victory (or defeat in the case of Florida State) in modern bowl game history was against Georgia last season, although a number of factors played a role in the outcome due to yet another historic College Football Playoff upset.

Last week’s loss to UNC marked the first time Mack Brown defeated FSU in one of his stops as coach, and the list could go on. While the intention is not to point out every mistake or misstep that has happened over the past five years, many fans are calling for change, and staring at a possible 1-11 season has people in Tallahassee wondering where the program is headed go.

“It’s been a very tough season and, like I said, for our fan base, I understand the frustration. There’s no fan more frustrated than me,” Norvell told the media on Monday. “There is no one who puts more into these players and this program than our staff. I look at the work and has it been good enough? No, it hasn’t.”

Norvell and the Seminoles will have to take a serious look at themselves in the mirror to address some of the issues that have surfaced this year. Whether it’s recruitment, evaluation or off-field issues that have come to light, complacency, whatever the issue, will need to be ironed out as the ‘Noles have three tough opponents in front of them with a very bleak view of the future . whether they can come home with a win at any of them.

Norvell said he is well aware of how this year’s team has performed and is certainly evaluating all aspects of the team. While it doesn’t specifically say that personnel changes are imminent, one can only wonder what can be fixed to take the “monumental” step needed to turn the program around again.

“I’m aware of where we are and the things that have happened. Some of the things I’ve evaluated over the course of the season and over the last few years: Why did this happen? Why did we fall short?” And what are the issues, and what can be changed or addressed that will allow us to take a monumental step next year and the future of the program?” Norvell continued. “But what I can tell you is that there will be a change in what we have seen from this year to next year.”

Norvell went on to say that he was shocked by the 2024 outcome and envisioned a different team than one with a losing record that requires two hands to count.

“I’m shocked at where we are now, and it wasn’t expected. You look at some of the results we’ve achieved and the circumstances that have arisen. When you go into a season you have a picture in your mind of what is happening I’m not blind to it. Like I said, I’m optimistic, but I’m also aware of the challenges, and I knew they would be there,” Norvell said “I don’t think we’re doing well with the negative points or the defeat have been dealt with, or whether we have been able to recover from it.”

Whatever the case, Florida State is 26-point underdogs against the Fighting Irish and will likely face another bloodbath in South Bend next Saturday.

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